johncroy
American expat in the Philippines
Forum posts
41
About me
American
Registration: 28 August 2021
GF and Extent of Her Family Involvement by moonunit0103
Hi, After spending 6 weeks traveling with my GF through the Central Visayas, we go to Ormoc, Leyte, to visit her family. I have been letting her handling my money and she keeps meticulous records for our travels, and assumed she would be as ...
For me it comes down to this;if you get with someone that likes you for who you are and not how much money you have or willing to dish out then the relationship has a chance to last.聽聽if you聽 get with someone that likes you for your ... Read More
The dogs here are crazy by eptowing
So this is my first trip to the Philippines. 聽First thing I must remind you is I鈥檓 traveling with my 75 pound chocolate lab. These people think my dog is a man eating Animal. When we go for walk or at the outside markets and when they ...
I see alot of undisciplined people and animals all over.聽 People only use leashes to keep their pets from running away.聽 First time i've ever seen a cat kept in a cage outside.聽 When people complain about kicking their dogs just ... Read More
Presidential Election - changes for expats? by BillyJack CDO
Do you anticipate changes (good or bad) for expats here with the new administration? I know it's impossible to predict. Just wondering if there are informed opinions out there.I'm now on a tourist visa, since balikbayan expired. Working on 13A ...
@Djameel聽Kindly note that some comments were removed for political reasons because there are a lot of off topic comments in other forums and that have not been removed for years. Read More
Looking for a small Hotel to possibly buy. by eptowing
So I鈥檓 thinking about about moving over here and I鈥檓 thinking about buying a small hotel or a large house and turning it in to a boarding house. It will be all under my girls name with a legal contract so she can鈥檛 take it. So give ...
I would recommend buying a small resort but you will have no way to control it if you ever leave.聽 Take your time and find people you can trust because a contract wont guarantee you anything. Read More
Cost of living in the Philippines in 2022 by Cheryl
Hi everyone, Two years after the start of the pandemic, it is time to take stock of the evolution of the cost of living in the Philippines or more specifically, in the region where you live. The idea is to help people get ready for their ...
If you feel like you need to take care of your in-laws that on you. Personally, I deal with my in-laws the same way I deal with my children. If they want something from me they need to earn it. My wife is one of the hardest working members of her ... Read More
Philippines driving licence by dodi1000
Dear all I have full UK Driving licence ..would any of the members advise on how to get philippines Driving licence? I have property tax, Water and electricity bills under my name as well as Building Occupancy Certificate that also under my name. I ...
Yeah, the doctors "exam" was a joke. It mostly consisted of an eye examine to see if you need glasses for driving. I don't remember the blood pressure or heart test. Read More
Philippines driving licence by dodi1000
Dear all I have full UK Driving licence ..would any of the members advise on how to get philippines Driving licence? I have property tax, Water and electricity bills under my name as well as Building Occupancy Certificate that also under my name. I ...
I just transferred my drivers license from US to Philippines. All I needed was valid drivers license, ACR card and Passport showing visa valid for a minimum of 160 days from date of entry. Read More
Requirements for Philippines by marcovalacchi1994
Hello I would like to travel to Philippines. I need the 35k Usd insurance, do you have an advice? Is it mandatory to have a ticket for the return journey to the port of origin not later than thirty (30) days from date of arrival? Is there a way to ...
Purchase a plane ticket than cancel it and get your money back, same thing as faking. ACR card and Drivers license FINGERPRINTS were done electronically instead of ink and paper (sorry about the confusion). Read More
Tourist visa extensions beyond 30 days. by scott1953
Has any expat experienced trying to extend beyond the current 30 day tourist visa upon returning to the Phil? It's my understanding BI will only allow a 30 day stay based on what i read on there web site. I asked a BI officer when i received ...
If you have a Filipino spouse then apply for 13a visa. No need to leave the Philippines. Read More
SRRV Feb 19 2022 by lcdrski
Hi who has just done the SRRV tango with the PRA? How long did you have to stay in Makati to set up Bank Account, Applications, Pay the fee and the yearly fee before you could move out and finish up somewhere else. I fly out of LAX on the 22 of ...
I applied for 13a visa not even a month after I arrived and thought I needed FBI report but surprisingly they only asked for NBI Certificate. I have had fingerprints taken 3 times since I've been here. NBI certificate was with black ink only ... Read More
Requirements for Philippines by marcovalacchi1994
Hello I would like to travel to Philippines. I need the 35k Usd insurance, do you have an advice? Is it mandatory to have a ticket for the return journey to the port of origin not later than thirty (30) days from date of arrival? Is there a way to ...
I just faked my return ticket with real flight information. They don't check with the airlines that the ticket is legitimate. Read More
Tourist visa extensions beyond 30 days. by scott1953
Has any expat experienced trying to extend beyond the current 30 day tourist visa upon returning to the Phil? It's my understanding BI will only allow a 30 day stay based on what i read on there web site. I asked a BI officer when i received ...
If you are traveling to the Philippines on the visa free program you will need to present airline travel leaving the Philippines no more than 30 days from arrival. https://www.philippineairlines.com/en/covid-19/arrivingintheph Read More
Tourist visa extensions beyond 30 days. by scott1953
Has any expat experienced trying to extend beyond the current 30 day tourist visa upon returning to the Phil? It's my understanding BI will only allow a 30 day stay based on what i read on there web site. I asked a BI officer when i received ...
I was able to extend my visa two months while waiting for my 13a visa approval. Initial 9a visa was for 59 days. There鈥檚 a section in the main immigration office just for visa extensions. The Philippines is open for tourism now but ... Read More
Beverage of Choice vs Cost by Enzyte Bob
Yesterday we shopped at Lander's. I usually don't pay attention to the price, I buy what I want. Beverages: 3 lbs of Columbia Dark Roast Ground Coffee 1199.75 php, but 1 Liter of Absolut Vodka only 799.75 php. [b]Guess I'll drink Bloody ...
With the ongoing inflation in the states prices from US made products will continue to rise. A lot of items are twice what they were 2 years ago. Read More
Filipina Online Dating - Questions for those experienced by briggss3
Hi, I'm new to the website. I have a question around meeting Filipina girls on Filipino Cupid. I spent about a week on the website, and had many girls connecting many of which I believe were not real. However, one particular girl contacted me ...
The best dating advice whether online or not is never give anyone money. The worst thing you can do is to be in a relationship based on money, unless you like that kind of thing. There are countless stories of people giving money and when the ... Read More
Covid Vaccine Followup
I found this medical journal on the effects of COVID spike protein that I think everyone should read to understand the effects of the virus and vaccine. http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v17n24.shtml Read More
Relationship opinions on Philippine culture and SAHMs by JustAGuest
I'm still in the US, and I'll be here for a while, as my job requires it. I'm interested in retiring somewhere inexpensive, but that will be a ways in the future. (At least 10-15 years.) In the meantime, I've been talking to a ...
I heard this from someone years ago and it really got me thinking. "People don't change when they become wealthy, they just have the opportunity to be what they always were inside." When it comes to Filipinas being corrupted or ... Read More
Received my booster Vaxx by Enzyte Bob
On Tuesday at the Pasig City hall I received my booster (third vaxx) and they asked me what Vaxx I wanted and I chose Pfizer. My wife and housekeeper also chose Pfizer. My first two Vaxx's were Sinovac. The day after the housekeeper had no side ...
Please stop silencing people who can personally experienced negative side effects of COVID vaccines from telling their stories or the stories of family and friends. Why don鈥檛 you delete enzitebob post saying he鈥檚 all Vaxxed out and ... Read More
Money Transfer by ppjhm
I am an American living outside Cagayan de Oro. I am looking for some output regarding money transfer from the U.S. to the Philippines other than bank to bank wire transfers as my bank's fees are overbearing. If anyone has any suggestion on ...
Remitly takes less than a minute and Worldremit may take several minutes to hours (if using a credit or debit card). Paypal is almost instantaneous but has the highest fees (using a credit or debit card); you will need to open a Philippines Paypal ... Read More
Old Dog New Tricks by Enzyte Bob
I came across an interesting video which mentioned an on line marriage from Utah for $1600, this was part of a topic recently. The video is by: "Paul in the Philippines old dog new tricks" on You Tube, he is from Valencia. The video was a ...
Sure i also got married to my Filipina wife in Utah and now im in the Philippines but i paid less than $800 total and it took me less than 2 months to get my 9a visa. Read More
Options for Opening a Bank Account without an ACR-I by GuestPoster1402
As the title suggests I need a local bank account and the BI is taking forever to process my 9G visa, I've been told it should be ready by Feb. Not an ideal situation but the decision was made to get me into the country on a 9A visa and apply ...
NBI clearance is the easiest PH ID to obtain and good for opening a bank account. Read More
Relocating to the Philippines by Parvaze
Hi all - Just a quick introduction. My name is Parvaze, I was born and grew up in Scotland and been living in Southern California, USA for the past 30 years. I'm looking to move to the Philippines by the end of 2022 so currently gathering ...
To research properties here you have to get an address go to the city hall get the tax record which has the owners name on it then try to find the owner. My wife purchased the property her family was squatting on for 30 years. The owner was not ... Read More
If I bring a PC on an airplane, will I still be charged customs taxes? by Arcadieus
Trying to figure a way around paying 12% through customs. Anyone have any other ideas?
Anyone anywhere in the world can get married online where each party (husband, wife and officiant) are all located in different places at Utah county dot gov Read More
Any one know a country were a American and Pilipino could both go. by pahypnotist
Hello, New here Dan from USA, My fianc茅e is is Philippines and its closed for travelers now. Does any one know a good country we could meet to get married ? Thank you Dan
The COVID situation is constantly changing and you should check nearby Asian countries like Thailand and Indonesia. Any Filipino leaving the Philippines to meet a fianc茅 will need to obtain a CFO and an affidavit of support and guarantee from ... Read More
Vaccination verification by Fritz62
Hello, I arrived at Manila airport with my International Vaccination Certificate issued by the Australian Government. The quarantine officer said that this document could not be verified, which I could not understand why. Meant I had to spend 2 ...
Yes ANY document used internationally must be authenticated (Apostille) by the country of origin. There are not exceptions to this rule even for a so called "international" vaccination certificate. If it was issued by the Australian ... Read More
Can I visit the Philippines by Jimmy Simpson
Hi my name is Jimmy and I am from the UK. can someone please help and tell me if I can travel to the Philippines and get a 28 day visa at the airport when I arrive. I want to visit my daughter but I am unsure if I will be given a visa at the ...
Also if there is a medical reason to visit your daughter in the Philippines make sure to mention that in your correspondence with the Philippine embassy. Unless things change after the elections in May expect the Philippines to maintain current ... Read More
Can I visit the Philippines by Jimmy Simpson
Hi my name is Jimmy and I am from the UK. can someone please help and tell me if I can travel to the Philippines and get a 28 day visa at the airport when I arrive. I want to visit my daughter but I am unsure if I will be given a visa at the ...
YES things are not going to get any better so if you really want to see your daughter than have her send you original PSA issued Birth Certificate, notarized invitation letter, original barangay issued certification of residency, copy of her ... Read More
Can I visit the Philippines by Jimmy Simpson
Hi my name is Jimmy and I am from the UK. can someone please help and tell me if I can travel to the Philippines and get a 28 day visa at the airport when I arrive. I want to visit my daughter but I am unsure if I will be given a visa at the ...
You can not get a visa on arrival at this time. You will need to contact the Philippines embassy near you and request travel documents including invitation letter from your daughter and proof that she resides in the Philippines Read More
entering the philippine nowadays by rafic50
Is it enough to present marriage certificate to filippina at airport to enter the Philippine? no other documents available and my wife is not accompaning me.
Please refer to the following links for updated information. As of this writing only foreigners who are married to a filipino with valid visa and marriage documents, or traveling with filipino spouse with marriage documents or EED can enter the ... Read More
What are you missing in the Philippines?
Diksha, nice transition from the fact you are helping to block free speech on the subject of COVID-19 vaccinations. I suspect you will erase this message as well. Read More
Davao to stop accepting Sinovac and Sinopharm
I agree with Bob. There are a lot of unverified claims in different threads but because it's Covid related the powers to be want it removed? Read More
Mix & Match Vaccines? by Enzyte Bob
My first vac was Sinovac. I understand the other vacs have been available by luck for some people. My son tells me I have to get the Sinovac as my second vac. I would like to have some other vac, has anyone been successful in getting a different ...
[moderated: mis-information] Read More
Opening a online bank account by Sumomaster2004
Anyone have any advice on opening an online bank account that will accept direct deposit from US? Then i can transfer my money to my bank account here in PI. Like deposits from IRS.
Obviously Sumomaster2004 is trying to get some of the stimulus money the US is giving away like water. Only way to open a us bank account is in person. Read More
Grease Money by Enzyte Bob
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has alerted foreign visitors against the proliferation of fake entry permits being offered on social media. The Immigration Bureau has received complaints about a new scam asking unsuspecting visitors to contact an ...
The Philippines is a very desirable place but the government has locked down the country limiting the number of people that can enter. This is a breading ground for such scams considering everyone knows how corrupt government officials are. My ... Read More